{"id":3132,"date":"2016-09-30T21:06:36","date_gmt":"2016-10-01T01:06:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=3132"},"modified":"2021-03-20T12:26:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T16:26:05","slug":"new-york-jets-gamble-austin-seferian-jenkins-can-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/30\/new-york-jets-gamble-austin-seferian-jenkins-can-work\/","title":{"rendered":"The New York Jets Gamble with Austin Seferian-Jenkins Can Work"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On September 26, the New York Jets<\/strong> made a gamble by claiming former Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins<\/a> off of waivers. However, the Jets did not just pick up a tight end,but also his baggage. Seferian-Jenkins was recently released from the Buccaneers after receiving his second DUI<\/strong>. Many teams refused to do what the Jets did for proper reasons. Why then did the Jets claim him?<\/span><\/p>\n

The New York Jets Gamble with Austin Seferian-Jenkins Can Work<\/h2>\n

Seferian-Jenkins Clearly Has Talent<\/span><\/h3>\n

There is no getting around it, Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins has talent. He was drafted in the second round (38th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft<\/strong>. His nickname is Hercules for a reason. Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins is built like a tight end at 6’6″, 262 pounds. Also in 18 games (12 starts) spanning from 2014-present he has made 45 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then there’s the other side to the story. The Jets weakest position is the tight end<\/a>. In regards to offense, the Jets have had and still have the weakest tight end position in the NFL<\/strong>. Through the Jets first three games neither Kellen Davis<\/a> nor Brandon Bostick<\/a> have a reception. The Washington Redskins<\/strong> have more receptions and yards than these two combined from their cornerback position; a purely defensive position. Quinton Dunbar<\/a> of the Redskins has one reception for 31 yards. This stresses how pitiful the Jets tight ends have been in receiving.<\/span><\/p>\n

So far the Jets have not necessarily needed a tight end, though. They have been lining Quincy Enunwa<\/a> up as a slot receiver with great success. Some have even questioned if he really is a wide receiver or actually a tight end.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins can be a true tight end for the Jets. The decision is solely up to him, however.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jets Are a Good Fit For Seferian-Jenkins<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Jets stand out among many other teams as the one who can take on Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins. The locker room is filled with notable veterans. Among these is the outspoken leader, Brandon Marshall<\/a>. Marshall has already reached out to Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins and offered to mentor him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been talking to Austin for a week now, even before this even happened,\u201d said Marshall according to Newsday<\/a>. \u201cWhen I saw what he was going through I reached out to him. We\u2019ve been talking for a while. He is a great talent. When I heard yesterday we claimed him I was like \u2018This is God sent’. If he needs me, I am there.”<\/span><\/p>\n

It was important for the Buccaneers to cut Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins to wake him up. Players are given second chances and sometimes third chances in the NFL, but no team wants to tolerate a multitude of repeated illegal offenses like that of Johnny Manziel<\/a> or Josh Gordon<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the right mix of veterans in the locker room, this may be exactly what Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins needed. Head coach Todd Bowles<\/a> has already met with him<\/span> and will be giving him a fresh start.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Of course, anybody coming in is going to say all the right things,” said Bowles according to NJ.com<\/a>. “But your actions speak louder than your words. So he’s got a clean slate with us, and going forward, we’ll see what he does. What he does going forward will determine what we do.”<\/span><\/p>\n

As Bowles said, Seferian-<\/span>Jenkins’ career is in his own hands. If he decides to turn things around, the Jets can get an absolute steal of a player for a talent-starved position.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n